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In Bourke the bureau expects a maximum of 47 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, while Dubbo residents are facing temperatures of 44 to 45 degrees.

Temperatures in Sydney's western suburbs are expected to reach the high 30s, possibly 40s, on Saturday.

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The RFS Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said a statewide total fire ban would be in place on Friday in response to the rising temperatures.

''It's going to be awful. It's going to be difficult for firefighters and the communities affected,'' Mr Fitzsimmons said.

''The only consolation we have is that winds are going to be slightly less than they were on Tuesday. But we can't ignore the widespread existence of fires already active across the state.

''As seen on Tuesday, record temperatures are expected with the mercury set to reach [the] low to mid 40s, winds of 30km/h to 50km/h are expected while hot air from the past week has dried fuel in bushland across the state,'' he said.

''A majority of NSW will be facing severe or extreme fire dangers on Friday and into Saturday. Nowhere is immune. The state needs be aware and alert. The landscape is fully loaded with extremely dry fuel. Fires are starting really easily.''

Mr Fitzsimmons said nearly 2000 firefighters were on the frontline while ''thousands'' were on standby to be deployed if their area became affected.

''We've been helped by 150 firefighters from Victoria who are working in the Wagga area,'' he said.

Despite dire warnings and fears the state's ''catastrophic'' conditions would cause widespread destruction, so far only one house has been lost, at Yarrabin in the Cooma-Monaro region.

More than 100 fires are scattered over NSW, with the most significant areas of concern about 12 kilometres west of Sussex Inlet in the Jerrawangala area, south of Nowra. More than 130 firefighters are still working to contain the fire that has burnt through 5840 hectares.

A fire burning in the Kybeyan Valley area, 20 kilometres east of Cooma, is not yet under control after burning through 9400 hectares. About 50 firefighters had to fight to protect rural properties under threat.

Another fire burning in rugged country about 11 kilometres west of Yass is still a threat as it is not fully under control, according to the fire service.

The RFS said about 370,000 hectares had been burnt and an estimated 10,000 sheep worth $1 million have died.

Meanwhile, Blue Mountains police are appealing for help as they investigate three suspicious grass fires they believe were deliberately lit. The fires were quickly extinguished by the RFS on Wednesday.